The following is a list of basic equipment available for research within the Department. It is most important to discuss your equipment needs with your supervisor. Research students must determine availability and suitability of equipment required for their research before they commence work on their project.

Facilities and equipment include:

• Maps and air photographs are held in collections, as well as in the University Library.
• Organic Geochemistry Laboratory and Instruments
• Electron microprobe and scanning electron microscope; X-ray diffraction, fully automated X-ray fluorescence; ICPMS with laser ablations microprobe; double beam atomic absorption spectrometer; flame photometer; ion chromatograph; fluid inclusion heating and freezing facility.
• Access to SEM.
• Seismic, gravity, magnetic, GPR and electrical equipment (FEM, TEM, Resistivity).
• Digital data-acquisition system for monitoring geophysical experiments in field and laboratory.
• Physical property laboratory measurement systems (susceptibility, conductivity, seismic velocity, density).
• 9 and 40-kb capability piston-cylinder apparatus.
• Geophysical modelling and inversion programs.
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software.
• Vehicles.
• Graphics facilities

SPECIALIST FACILITIES

GEMOC has developed the analytical instrumentation and support facilities of the Macquarie University Geochemical Analysis Unit (GAU). The analytical instrumentation and support facilities within the GAU represent a state-of-the-art geochemical facility. http://www.gemoc.mq.edu.au/Technology.html

Experimental petrology laboratories in GEMOC include 4 piston-cylinder presses (pressure to 4 GPa), hydrothermal apparatus, controlled atmosphere furnaces and a multi-anvil apparatus for pressures to 27 GPa. The Centre for Isotope Studies has provided access to extraction lines and gas-source mass-spectrometers for stable-isotope analysis of fluids and minerals; it is planned that these facilities will be moved to GEMOC Macquarie. The Department has facilities for rock preparation and thin sectioning.

The Geophysics discipline has access to a wide range of field and laboratory equipment. Field equipment includes electrical resistivity, transient electromagnetic receivers and transmitters, a gravity meter, proton and ceasium-vapour magnetometers, dual frequency susceptibility meter, conductivity meter, and palaeomagnetic laboratory, and a multi-channel land refraction or shallow reflection seismograph. A well-equipped computing laboratory with a variety of specialised software and a wide range of software packages are available for data reduction, interpretation, modelling and inversion. Laboratory facilities are available for the measurement of some physical properties.

The Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences has close ties with other organisations, particularly the NSW Department of Mineral Resources, and the CSIRO Divisions of Exploration and Mining, and Radiophysics. Cooperative projects with these groups are possible, and interaction with industry is also encouraged and may be fostered through SUCOGG or the Australian Society of Exploration Geophysicists (ASEG).

Honours space

There is a limited amount of desk space available for Honours students. To apply for a desk, contact your supervisor or the Head of Department.  

IT Facilities

Student IT is located in C5C Room 244 and provides information technology support and assistance to the students and staff of Macquarie University.

Computers

C5C Room 211,213 and 219 have over 100 computers dedicated to Macquarie University. Opening hours during semester time are: Monday-Friday 8am-8pm, Saturday-Sunday 10am-6pm.

The IT Help Desk in Room 244 is available for questions and problems.

There are also several computing facilities available from within the library (see here for more information)

Most Library databases and e-resources are available off-campus for Macquarie University staff and students (see here for information on access).

The unversity also has a wireless network available in some areas.

Contact Student IT Help: (02) 9850 HELP (4357) or Freecall: 1800 063 191

IT rules

Rules governing access to, and use of, the facilities of the University's IT services have been formalised chiefly to protect the hardware and software owned by the University from unauthorised access or improper use. The rules authorise disciplinary action for infringement. There are also heavy penalties in general law relating to computer abuses. The University's rules are published in a booklet, copies of which are made available to all users of the facilities of the Office of Computing Services. These rules also apply to computer facilties within the department. View the Macquarie University IT Conditions of use here.

Department computing facilities

The Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences has its own computing facilities (in common with the Department of Environment and Geography).  The department has two PC labs used for teaching are located in E6E001 and E6E002.